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Book Review – To Please a Lady

21 Tuesday Jan 2014

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It’s review time again!

*****

9781477848333_p0_v2_s260x420With her stunning beauty and impeccable reputation, Lady Eleanor Beckett is a society darling to emulate, respected by everyone in the ton. But Eleanor’s seemingly perfect life is marred by a dark secret. Determined to know happiness and passion just once, she travels in disguise to a place she’s heard whispers about for years: the infamous Lavender Hills Estate, a brothel that caters to women. There, she meets the surprisingly kind, strikingly handsome, and completely inappropriate James McKinnon, a man who may be just what she needs to melt the ice surrounding her broken heart.

James McKinnon is content at Lavender Hills Estate. Affable and handsome, it’s not surprising that James is one of Lady Lavender’s most popular men. He found the path out of crippling poverty through Lavender Hills, and with the money he makes from his work, he is able to support his widowed mother and young sister. James is surprised to find he cares for Eleanor, the beauty with the sad eyes. After all, he’s never cared for a client before—caring interferes with business. Unfortunately, society would never accept a relationship between an escort and a lady.

Despite their stations, Eleanor and James can’t extinguish the passion they’ve ignited. Will they be able to break through the confines of London society, or will their forbidden love and complicated pasts destroy everything they care about—including each other?

To Please a Lady is actually the last in a series about three men who were blackmailed into prostitution by Lady Lavender and if you have an interest in reading the others, I’d recommend waiting on this one. The whys of their situation come out in this finale and it could possibly affect the way you read the series, but I don’t know that for sure. I haven’t read To Seduce an Earl or To Capture a Rake so I don’t know how much of the details that are shared in this book have already played out in the others. So, with that warning, let me tell you that I did enjoy this book although I think I might have liked it more if it hadn’t been the only one I’d read. There are a lot of statements made about the other men and I think I might have missed out on some of the nuances since I didn’t know their story. Apart from that though, James and Ellie’s story was very entertaining.

I’ve no issue with the idea of a male prostitute as a hero. Darius has to be one of my favorite books and there is always more to the man’s story than you think. It isn’t any different with James. He’s smart, caring but I think a little too soft-hearted about his situation. Somehow he came away from it with a completely different view than his friends but when he meets Ellie, everything changes.

In fact it was Ellie’s situation that I found very difficult to take. She lives with an abusive husband in a time when women had no power at all. They were basically property to their men, who could do with them what they wished. It is no wonder that she’s as closed off as she is … actually it is surprising how much spirit she’s managed to keep.

But James and Ellie are realizing that things might not have to be the way that they are now and that they could have something better if the world was a little different. Their’s is a dance that will force them to decide if they are brave enough to change things.

To Please a Lady is a complex, intriguing, and sometimes heartbreaking story of two people dealing with issues of abuse, self-image, love and forgiveness.

Book Review – Falling for her Soldier

17 Friday Jan 2014

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As promised yesterday, here is my review for Falling for her Soldier!

*****

FallingForHerSoldierShe fell for the nice guy, but will she fall for the real guy?

Ex-ballerina Ellie Bell has twenty-four days left until her self-imposed man-less year is up. No more falling for the wrong kind of guy—charming, sexy, bad. Why can’t she find someone sweet like Charlie Johansson, her soldier pen pal? His e-mails meant the world to her, and she can’t stop thinking about him…until she meets Hunter, whose muscles and cocky smile threaten to have her relapsing.

Before Charlie “Big Game Hunter” Johansson’s last tour of duty, he’d gone through women like crazy. But after connecting on a real, emotional level via letters with his best friend’s sister, Charlie’s ready for a relationship—with Ellie Bell. But then her brother introduces him as Hunter. Proving he’s no longer a player by becoming Ellie’s dance partner for an Army benefit seems like it could convince both siblings he’s changed, but the harder he falls for Ellie, the harder it is to come clean. Can he convince her to fall for the real him before it’s too late?

I’m not usually a fan of deception romances, even if it was an accident on Charlie’s part, but this one worked for me. There wasn’t really a good way for him to come clean any earlier than he does because I don’t know that Ellie would have believed he had changed until she got to know him.

Charlie and Ellie are so much fun together – snarky, funny, entertaining, sexy and sweet. London does a fantastic job of slowly building their relationship – if you can call 5 days a slow build, but it makes sense in context. I remember reading Tessa’s story (Charlie’s sister) in Playing at Love and really enjoying it. But I think that London may have even gotten better with time – the characters have depth and emotion, their interactions are charming and touching, and their issues are realistic and enthralling.

Charlie finds himself in a bind that isn’t quite his fault and he does the best he can to minimize the damage to his relationship with both Sam and Ellie. His last mission causes him to rethink the way he’s living his life and he’s trying hard to be a better man. I cracked up when he uses his Hunter charm on Ellie and rooted for him as he tries to figure out how to fix his mess. I definitely think he’s going to have to go on my fake boyfriend list.

Ellie also had me laughing as she deals with Charlie and his flirting. She’s had a bad history with men but is hoping that she can change that. Her reaction is totally understandable when she finds out the truth about who Hunter is and London does a great job of having her behave in a realistic and relatable way. I could totally see where she is coming from and things resolve themselves quickly but gratifyingly.

With Falling for her Soldier, London once again delivers a romantic treat full of heart and humor that left me feeling satisfied at the end. I think that at this point I’d pick up any story that had her name on the cover without even reading the blurb.

(This is the third book in the “Perfect Kiss” series, but even though I had read the first book I don’t think it made any difference. I haven’t read the second one and didn’t really feel like I missed anything. Like most series, there are appearances by the characters from the other books, but their stories don’t really play a part here. So if this is the first book for you, go ahead and take a chance. I think you’ll find yourself very happy you did.)

Book Review – Resisting the Hero

15 Wednesday Jan 2014

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ResistingtheHeroResisting her brother’s best friend is futile…

Faith Fitzpatrick isn’t looking for a hero. Burned one too many times in the past, she’s now sworn them off completely. And when her brother’s best friend, Connor, convinces him to join the dangerous SWAT team, Faith has never been more anti-hero. What’s wrong with having a safe job? There’s nothing safe about Connor. Confident, sexy, and sporting a six-pack that should be illegal, he’s everything she doesn’t want.

When his best friend’s sister moves to town, local cop Connor Maguire knows he’s in trouble. Faith is feisty, funny, and talks trash like nobody’s business. She’s also his partner’s sister—and so totally off limits. Working on the Fall Festival together, they agree to a truce and become friends. But the more time Connor spends with Faith, the more he’s willing to risk the wrath of her brother. If he could only convince her to take a risk on him, too.

So you totally know where this one is going to go from the first chapter – Faith and Connor get together, she can’t take the stress of his job so she runs, he gets hurt on the job, she comes back to him having decided it is better to be with him than not … but that doesn’t mean that the journey isn’t a blast. Having read the first two books in the “Accidentally in Love” series (Falling for Her Fiance and Act Like You Love Me), I already knew that Madsen’s books are full of warmth and humor and fun.  And Resisting the Hero doesn’t disappoint.

Connor is your typical modern rake – he’s charming and smooth and quite the playboy. But of course he has his reasons. And he’s all sorts of hero material, with a noble streak a mile long. So, in true romance tradition, all it takes is the right woman to have him giving up his womanizing ways. Faith fights her attraction to Connor as hard as she can but the man is downright irresistible – sexy, funny and full of life. It doesn’t take long before she’s second-guessing herself on why she shouldn’t date a cop.

Full of sizzle, heart and humor, Madsen once again delivers a delightful and entertaining story. It’s got the sexy, the funny and the warmth … I don’t think you could ask for more.

Book Review – Bonfire Beach

14 Tuesday Jan 2014

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cover37735-mediumThey’re gorgeous, they’re rich, they’re single, and they’re determined to stay that way for life…until they take a trip to Sanctuary Island. Don’t miss this unforgettable new novella trilogy about three billionaire bachelors who are about to discover that sometimes you have to let go of the life you planned in order to embrace the life of your dreams.

In the second novella, Bonfire Beach, Zane Bishop has always been the life of the party. But when his friend asks for help planning his wedding reception, it pits Zane against uptight wedding planner Felicity Carlson. While Zane works overtime tempting Felicity into having fun, she discovers that there’s more to the party boy than meets the eye. But can a woman who makes her living planning other people’s perfect romances let her guard down long enough to find true love of her own?

I adored Leo in The Fireside Inn, and now we meet Zane.  He’s very appealing and I really liked how Everett brought him his happy ever after. Zane experienced a great tragedy in his childhood that has defined the way he lived his life ever since. He lives life to the fullest, dragging ever moment of fun he can out of it. Felicity also had a tragedy befall her family but the lesson she learned is completely different. She now keeps herself on the straight and narrow. When the two are brought together to plan the Harrison reception, the clash over their differing life views create sparks. And as they spend more time together, they start moving closer to a middle ground.

Once again Everett gives readers sympathetic characters and a strong story line. Even though she doesn’t have very many pages, she still managed to make me laugh and sigh and cheer. Both Zane and Felicity are intriguing, with heartrending pasts that had me tearing up a little, but are so charming and fun when they butt heads. Bonfire Beach is amusing and tender and realistic and warm and … well, let’s just say you gotta read it.

I am loving Everett’s “The Billionaire Bachelors” series and I can’t wait to see how it all wraps up with Lantern Lake, releasing next week.

Book Review – The Scandal Before Christmas

10 Friday Jan 2014

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cover36302-mediumLieutenant Ian Worth needs a wife by Christmas, and he can’t afford to be choosy. He has to find her, woo her, and wed her before he goes back to sea—all within a matter of days.

Anne Lesley is a shy spinster with no prospects, and nothing and no one to recommend her but her own self. She accepts the lieutenant’s hasty offer only for the comfort and security it will bring. But when a midwinter storm snows her and Ian in, they both find they got much more than they bargained for—laughter, light, and a Christmas filled with honest to goodness true love…

I find it refreshing to occasionally read a story that isn’t full of angst and Essex manages to bring readers an enthralling story that is simple, heartfelt and engaging but without a lot of issues, lies or misunderstandings.  And I’m guessing that the title might play into the rest of the series because there really isn’t anything that scandalous about it. Instead, it was a sweetly tender story about two strangers thrown together by odd circumstances, who get to know each other and fall in love.  We follow along with them on their journey as they discover all the good (and bad) things about one another and learn to look with the heart, not the eyes.

The Scandal Before Christmas is full of warmth, humor and romance, and I was quickly enamored by Ian and Anne.  They are both odd ducks in their families, but find that the family they could create together might just be the perfect place for them.  I haven’t read any of the other “Reckles Brides” books (or another Elizabeth Essex book that I know of) but I can definitely say I have been missing out.

Book Review – Single by Saturday

09 Thursday Jan 2014

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cover39610-mediumShe enjoyed her fake marriage…until she fell in love with her brother-in-law.

Catherine Bybee serves up excitement and dizzying romance in Single by Saturday, the sequel to Fiancé by Friday and the latest entry in her bestselling “Weekday Brides” series.

Karen Jones: The petite blonde married a Hollywood star, yet she’s the one who spends every day playing a part: the part of a happy wife. A year ago, she agreed to wed a famous actor to diffuse rumors about his personal life. Now, her divorce sits just around the corner, along with a five million dollar payout. However, as she prepares to exit her fake marriage gracefully, her drop-dead-gorgeous brother-in-law walks through the door…and into her heart.

Zach Gardner: Dark-haired, blue-eyed hunk Zach crashes Michael and Karen’s fancy one-year anniversary party, determined to meet the wife his brother hid from their family. But sparks fly the moment he and Karen see each other. When the famous couple decides to visit the whole Gardner clan, Karen must keep Michael’s secret under wraps in front of his questioning relatives…including Zach, the man who could be the real love of her life.

I think I could gobble up Bybee’s “Weekday Brides” books like candy.  I absolutely could not put this one down and finished it in a day. Unlike Fiance by Friday, this one is definitely more romance than suspense, although there is a little drama at the end that kept me (just a little) on the edge of my seat. 

We met Karen and Michael in Fiance by Friday and I was really looking forward to their story – and Bybee definitely didn’t disappoint.  Michael has got to be one of my favorite characters.  He has a big secret to keep and Karen is helping him do it.  I adore the loving, non-sexual relationship between the two and Michael definitely made me want my own gay husband.  He’s caring and funny, charming and saucy, and he’s definitely a fantastic guy to have as a best friend.  I’m really hoping that we’ll get more of his story as the “Weekday Brides” series continues, especially since it looks like his sister might show up in a future story.

Karen has her own issues.  We got to know her a little in Fiance by Friday but didn’t get a lot of the details – she had a hard childhood and now spends her time helping other kids.  She’s caring and giving and funny.  She’s built a great relationship with Michael and is just waiting for the right time to stage their breakup … and then in walks Michael’s brother, Zach.  While trying to fight her attraction for a man who doesn’t know the truth about her marriage, she realizes there is more to Michael’s family life than he lets on and decides to push him into resolving some of his issues.  This, of course, puts her well into Zach’s path but she wants the best for Michael and thinks that she can make it thru a two week family vacation unscathed.  Yeah, you know where that’s going. 

Zach is gorgeous, fun and troubled by being drawn to his sister-in-law.  He’s got his own family issues to resolve and, although they aren’t as impactful as Karen or Michael’s, the Gardner family dynamic makes for compelling reading.  Since we know the truth about Karen and Michael, it is a little easier to handle the attraction between her and Zach, but you know it has got to be a very difficult situation for him to be in.  It’s tough enough on Karen when she knows the truth, but Zach just knows that he is irresistibly drawn to his brother’s wife.  Bybee handles it very well and the interactions between the three are very realistic and emotional.  It made me love Michael all the more and I really want to see him happy and soon. 

If you’ve not read one of Bybee’s books, that’s OK – I think it would be fine to start here.  Characters from previous books do make appearances, since they are all very close friends, but from what I can tell (since this is just my second book) the plots don’t bleed over too much.  Yes, you would have met Michael and Karen before but Bybee does a good job of filling in all the details that you need. 

With bold characters, captivating stories, and a snappy writing style, I think Bybee is going to be one of my go-to authors for a long time to come. 

Book Review – The Fireside Inn

08 Wednesday Jan 2014

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cover37827-mediumThey’re single, they’re rich, and now these billionaire bachelors are heading to Sanctuary Island in a new e-original novella series from Lily Everett! Fall in love with the island’s latest catch.

When friends Leo, Zane and Cooper travel to Sanctuary Island for the wedding of fellow billionaire Miles Harrington, they’re certain their friend is making the biggest mistake of his life. Having vowed to remain perpetual bachelors, they’re certain they can bring Miles to his senses before he throws away his freedom forever. But Miles makes them a bet: if they come to Sanctuary Island to spend some time and help out with the wedding, they’ll change their tune about love before he says “I do.” Because Miles knows, better than anyone, that all it takes is a little Sanctuary Island magic to turn the biggest romantic cynic into a true believer. Now three billionaire bachelors are about to discover that sometimes you have to let go of the life you planned in order to embrace the life of your dreams…

In Fireside Inn, the Honorable Lord Leo Strathairn inherited his family’s money, his title, and his position in London society. When he meets Sanctuary Island’s funky young librarian, Serena Lightfoot, he’s determined to get a lot closer. Despite the simmering attraction between them, Serena isn’t at all interested in putting up with a pampered playboy. But as Leo ramps up his seduction attempts, Serena sees that he’s nothing like the empty-headed aristocrat she’d assumed.

This is an off-shoot of Everett’s series set on Sanctuary Island (involving Miles and his brothers) but I’ve not read any of the others and I really don’t think it is necessary.  I’m intrigued though because her writing style is very smooth and her characters are quite addictive.  But I will say that the blurb really doesn’t do the book justice.  Miles does assign each of his friends a wedding related task and there is a bet but Leo’s tale is a little more involved than it is made out to be.  He’s been assigned to pick a reading and he enlists the help of local librarian, Serena.  For years he’s hidden the fact that he can’t read and she’s his best hope to find something perfect.  Serena has been long pursued for her brain and not her body so when Leo does nothing to mask his desire for her Serena decides to go for it.  But of course, Leo can’t keep his secret forever and things get sticky very quickly.

I loved these two.  They each have their own hangups, but Everett does an amazing job of making her characters full-bodied in just a handful of pages.  Leo is deliciously handsome and charming, but also fabulously troubled due to his reading disorder.  He works hard to hide all of his insecurities behind his sexy mask but spending time with Serena and her deep love of literature definitely puts him on edge.  He does his best but you know that it’s going to slip.  Serena is also an amazingly fun character.  Her passion for her library and everything it represents jumps off the page and makes you remember why you love reading so much.  But she’s had a long history of heartache from men and as tempting as Leo is she doesn’t quite trust his desire for her (and her doubts are completely understandable once you get a feel for her past).  I loved that these two have something that can help the other but they each have to get past their own issues to see it.  The ending perfectly brought it all together.

My only complaint is that I would have loved to have seen more interactions between the two but there just weren’t enough pages.  We are given a wonderfully sweet introduction and an equally sweet resolution so they get the happy ending they deserve but there are a couple of weeks that are just glossed over.  We know that they spend that time together but I’d have liked to have been there for more of it to see them get to know each other better.

The Fireside Inn is so beautifully compelling that I am very much looking forward to seeing the other two bachelors.  We don’t get a lot of their stories here, which is fine because I wanted to see as much of Leo and Serena as I could.  I’m super excited to continue this wonderful series – coming soon look for a review of the next book Bonfire Beach, releasing next week.

Book Review – Entwined

07 Tuesday Jan 2014

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cover35014-mediumEamon Evernight has always lived in his older brother’s shadow. While his brother is fair of hair and lithe in body, Eamon sparks fear with his fiery locks and massive frame-and rumors of a mysterious power. But when his brother has the good fortune to be betrothed to a beautiful stranger, it’s Eamon’s help-and quick wit and romantic heart–that he needs. Eamon agrees to write the noble lady…a generous offer that will forever leave him a changed man.

Lady Luella Jane Moran has no interest in an arranged marriage and tries valiantly to dissuade her betrothed from afar. Though her own letters plainly state her case, the words her husband-to-be writes her leave her aching for his touch. Will Lu give in to the desire the missives have kindled within her? Or will desire turn cold when she discovers their true author?

Entwined is book 3.5 in Kristen Callihan’s “Darkest London” series.  I’ve not read any of the other books so I’m not sure how it fits in but as far as I can tell this novella can stand on its own.  There was nothing that I was confused about or felt was missing from the story, except maybe info on what happens to Eamon’s brother.  (Of course Eamon and Lu end up together so there has to be something more for Aiden.)

There is a slight supernatural element to Entwined, although based on the descriptions of the rest of the series this plays a much bigger part in those stories.  For the most part, this is a straightforward story of two people who fall in love based on a deception and the question is whether they can get past it.  I loved the early parts where the two exchange letters and reveal bits and pieces about themselves.  It’s a fun tactic to lead them to the path of romance … and potential disaster.

There were a couple of parts where I wanted to smack them both and tell them to just talk to one another but because of the secrets they carry it makes sense to act the way they do.  We know what’s going on but there is so much being kept quiet that it leads to awkwardness.  Luckily, being a short story (just under 100 pages), this doesn’t last long.

Entwined is perfect for those looking for an entertaining combination of historical, gothic, maybe even paranormal or just that slight touch of steampunk, but who really just want a love story that will give them a happy ever after at the end.

Book Review – Never Desire a Duke

03 Friday Jan 2014

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Time for another review.

*****

cover34970-mediumA Marriage Beyond Hope

Lady Sophia has long been estranged from her husband, Vane Barwick, the Duke of Claxton, whose rumored list of amorous conquests includes almost every beautiful woman of the ton. Yet a shocking encounter with him in a crowded ballroom-and a single touch-are all it takes to reawaken her furious passion for him. But how can she trust the man who crushed her dreams and took away the one thing she wanted most?

A Love Beyond Reason

Claxton has never forgiven himself for the youthful mistake that ruined his marriage to Sophia. Now, after nearly a year abroad, the reformed rogue vows to win back the only woman he’s ever truly loved. He’ll do whatever it takes to prove he can be the honorable husband she deserves-and the passionate lover she desires. As the snowdrifts deepen outside their ancestral home, can they rekindle the flame that burned so bright and find a new path to forever?

This is another one of those times when I think the blurb doesn’t quite give a good feeling for what the book is about – yes, Sophia and Vane have been estranged but it’s been less than a year and yes, his amorous history is part of their problem but it wasn’t really what broke them. Here’s my take – Sophia accidentally opens a letter to her husband that made it seem like he was cheating on her, she freaks out and, while rushing out of the house, slips on some ice and falls, causing a miscarriage. Both are heartbroken and instead of drawing closer in their grief, they pull apart and now there is such a distance between them that they may not be able to ever repair their marriage. They do get snowed in and the forced togetherness causes them to have to deal with their past and the possibility of a future together.

I’m not usually a fan of stories where people let their pride, misunderstandings and miscommunications to drag out their reconciliation but I think Dalton does a pretty good job. There are reasons for each of them to feel the way they do but both are too pig-headed (and scared) to work it out quickly and easily. Their journey back together is a good one and I found myself rooting for them to get it all straightened out. It was enjoyable getting to know both Vane and Sophia, and the secrets about why Vane is the way he is were intriguing. Dalton had me glued to the pages as Sophia got to know her husband all over again.

Never Desire a Duke is the first in the “One Scandalous Season” series, following Sophia and her sisters (and hopefully Vane’s brother, his cousin and Sophia’s friend Fox), and I’ll be keeping an eye out for the rest.

Book Review – Snowbound with the CEO

02 Thursday Jan 2014

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Review time!

*****

cover36159-mediumAdrian Blackstone built a million-dollar business with hard work and determination—and by remaining professional at all times. Denying his longtime attraction to his beautiful executive assistant hasn’t been easy but it’s necessary. She’s indispensable, and he can’t stand the thought of losing her if things didn’t work out.

For more than a year, Rachel Carter has been quietly dreaming of all the ways she’ll never seduce her sexy, buttoned-up boss. She’s worked too hard to get where she is to cross that line, no matter how badly she’d like to act on her fantasies. But then a wicked snowstorm leaves them stranded in a romantic winter wonderland…

What begins as a single kiss and a few bad Santa jokes turns into a weekend full of breathless passion and hopes for something more. But with Monday comes a return to their complicated reality—and Adrian must prove that promises made are promises kept, especially at Christmastime.

Snowbound with the CEO is a delightful look at what happens when you mix business and pleasure. Even though it is a novella it manages to fit in a heartwarming story in a small holiday package. Adrian and Rachel are fantastic together – they have great chemistry and make a witty, charming couple. I loved seeing them finally give in to their desires and act on their attraction, and Stacey does a fantastic job of making it believable and realistic.

Then the weekend is over. Misunderstandings and miscommunications abound (of course), but Stacey brings it all back together beautifully. Part of me thinks that with their working relationship being so important to each of them, plus how organized and intelligent they both are, there would have been some kind of conversation about what happens next. But then I realize that when the heart’s involved the brain often goes on vacation. They both are more involved than they imagined they would be at the beginning of the weekend and neither wants to take the chance on ruining everything.

For a sweet look at two people who have to decide if they are willing to risk it all for a weekend of passion (with a twist on the sexy secretary fantasy thrown in to make it fun), Snowbound with the CEO is a must read for a snowy winter night. You’ll be wishing you were snowbound with Adrian too.